University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Nursing is a proud partner with Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) supporting the development of a palliative and hospice training program for physicians, nurses, and social workers who work with patients and families. The goal of the training program is to provide a broad foundation of knowledge in palliative and hospice care focused on delivering quality patient and family-centered care to long-term and hospice patients.

The S-PHC program’s training and evaluation initial phase will be piloted at Leahi Hospital, HHSC’s long-term care facility in Kaimuki. Kokua Mau will be responsible for developing the communication training and the mentoring program. HHSC, through its electronic medical record system will track patients’ progress and service referral. UH Mānoa Nursing will conduct an exploratory study (supported by UH RMATRIX), describing the self-reported perception of patient and family satisfaction after receiving palliative care services.

“Training and mentoring of Hawaiʻi’s health professionals about palliative and hospice care will improve the quality of care services they provide to seriously ill patients and families,” said UH Mānoa Nursing Associate Professor Dr. Merle Kataoka-Yahiro.